Structural curb



Aug. 8, 1939. w. F. HIRSCHMAN STRUCTURAL CURB 5 Sheets-Sheeti Filed March 31, 1938 ATTORNEY Aug. s, 1939.

w. F. HIRSCHMAN smuc'rumm CURB Filed March 31, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1939. w. F. HIRSCHMAN STRUCTURAL CURB Filed March 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE STRUCTURAL CURB Application March 31, 1938, Serial No. 199,212

15 Claims. (Cl. l0826) This invention relates to a preformed structural curb which is available as a substitute for concrete curbs and which, although not necessarily limited to such use, is characterized by features which render it of particular utility in connection with the mounting of ventilators and skylights upon the roofs and decks of buildings.

One object of the invention is to provide a curb which is available for use in connection with various types of roofs and decks.

A further object is to provide 'a curbwhich will enable a permanent weather-proof installation.

A still further object is a curb which is sodelo signed that its use in connection with roofs and decks-of the poured concrete type avoids the necessity of forms and thereby eliminates the labor, materials and finishing operations incident to the use of such forms.

A still further objectis a curb of rigid construction which strengthens the surrounding portions of the roof or deck and'reinforces the base of the associated apparatus.

A still further object is to provide a'curb which,

owing to the elimination of a substantial amount of concrete, will enable the production of much lighter concrete roofs or decks than have hereto- .fore been possible.

A still further object is to provide a curb which is so designed as to simplify and enhance the base of the associated apparatus and reduce the amount of labor and materials involved in its production.

A still further object is to provide for facility 5 in mounting the associated apparatus and in securing the roofing felt or flashing. r

A still further object is to provide a curb having high heat insulating properties. I

The invention is illustrated in the accompany- 40 ing drawings, in which V Figurell is a view in elevation of a ventilator mounted upon a curb embodying the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section and. partially in elevation, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1';

Figure 3 is a detail section taken along line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the locking '56 frame for the roofing felt or flashing;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the curb and illustrates the manner in which the roofing felt or flashing is applied;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the sides 85 of the curb;

Figure 7 is a detail section illustrating a modified form of locking frame;

Figure 8 is a detail view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section taken along 5 line 9-9 of Figure 5;

Figures 10 and 11 are similar sections illustra ing the curb in connection with metal and wood decks, respectively;

Figure 12 is a sectional view illustrating a mod- 10 ified form of curb;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view taken along line l3l3 of Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is asection similar to Figure 10, the deck shown in this figure likewse being of metal. 15

The curb which is indicated at l5 (Figures 1-6) is carried by a concrete deck I6 and is in the form of a rectangular frame. It is illustrated, by way of example, in connection with a ventilator H, the base 18 of the latter having a skirt 19 which 20 is stifiened along its lower edge by a rib 2B. The curb is doublewalled, comprising inner and outer shells 2i and 22, respectively, which cooperate to provide a chamber 23. The said chamber is preferably filled with a heat insulating material 5 24 in order to prevent condensation. of the moisture in the air passing through the ventilator. The 'walls of the shell 2| are substantially vertical and terminate at their bottoms in outwardly directed flanges 25. Those of the shell 22 have 30 substantially vertical body portions 26 and flared base portions 21, the former being spaced from and substantially parallel with the walls of the inner shell. The flared base portions 21 provide the cant strips of the curb and they terminate in inwardly directed flanges 28 which are spaced from the flanges 25 and which are welded to the walls of the shell 2|. The flanges 25 and 28 provide channels in which the portions of the deck surrounding the opening are located. The construction described has the advantages that when the deck is of the poured concrete type no forms are required and finishing operations are eliminated. At the same time the use of concrete for the curb, and the attendant objection of its much greater weight, is avoided. Preferably the flanges 25 and 28 are strengthened by cross-rods 29. The latter connect the flanges at spaced intervals and anchor the curb to the deck.

The upper ends of the body portions of the walls of the outer shell are offset as indicated at 30 and they terminate in inwardly directed flanges 3! which are welded to the tops of the walls of the inner shell, the said flanges having inwardly and upwardly'inclined extensions 32 to '5 which the ventilator is anchored by nut-and-bolt fastenings 33.

When the roofing felt or flashing (indicated at 34) is applied it is caused to follow the walls of the outer shell, the ends being bent over the shoulders provided by the flanges 3! and being trimmed so that they terminate just short of the extensions 32. It is secured to the curb by a frame 35. The latter is provided with vertical legs 36 which force the felt or flashing inwardly against the offset portions 30 of the outer shell and horizontal legs 31 which force it down upon the flanges 3|. When the ventilator is mounted upon the curb the base thereof rests upon the frame 35. The weight of the ventilator, therefore, is utilized to hold the frame in the position in which it secures the roofing felt or flashing to the curb. The skirt I9 of the ventilator base preferably extends a substantial distance below the frame 35, as illustrated, it being noted that the offset portions 30 of the walls of the outer shell compensate for the thickness of the vertical legs of the said frame and enable the sides of the skirt to fit closely against the felt or flashing. A tight seal and an effective counter-flashing are thus provided.

The walls of the inner shell may, as illustrated, be formed with keyhole slots 38. The latter are preferably located behind the flared or cant strip providing portions of the outer shell and they accommodate headed pins 39. The shanks of the said pins are welded or otherwise secured to brackets 40 which are adapted to provide a mounting for the frame 4| of accessory apparatus such as a damper, for example. The said brackets are arranged at the desired spaced intervals, it being understood that the insulating material in the chamber 23 will yield to permit the heads of the pins 39 to be inserted in and moved along the slots 38.

It may be desirable, especially when the curb is of a substantial size, to make provision for preventing the center portions of the sides of the frame 35 from springing outwardly to thereby impair its effectiveness. This may be accomplished, as illustrated, by straps 42 (Figure 7). The latter are welded to the horizontal legs 31, preferably midway between their ends, and are formed with holes 43 so that they may be secured to the extensions 32 by certain of the nutand-bolt fastenings 33.

The adaptability of the curb to various types of decks is illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 14. In the first of these a conventional steel deck is sufficiently indicated at 44, the portions of the deck surrounding the opening being supported by a structural frame 45. The lower flanges 25 (shown in the embodiment first described) are not required and are, therefore, omitted, the lower ends of the walls of the inner shell being secured to the frame 45 as indicated at 46.

In Figiue 11 the curb is illustrated in connection with a wood deck 41, the portions of the deck surrounding the opening being supported by beams 48. The inner shell is ofthe same general construction as that shown in Figure 10, the lower ends of the walls in this instance being secured to the beams 48 by suitable screws 49.

In Figure 14 the curb is illustrated in connection with a steel deck 50. In this case, however, as distinguishing from the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the reinforcing of the portions of the deck which surround the opening is effected solely by the curb. To this end angle members 5| are employed. The said members are provided with vertical legs 52 which are welded to the low er ends of the walls of the inner shell and with horizontal legs 53 which are welded to the under side of the deck.

A construction of curb is shown in Figure 12 which is available for installations in which the problem of heat insulation is not involved. In this embodiment a single shell 54 is employed. The walls of the said shell are formed at their bottoms to provide outwardly directed flanges 55 and at their tops to provide inwardly directed flanges 56, the latter having upwardly and inwardly inclined extensions 51 to which the base 58 of the associated apparatus is anchored by nut-and-bolt fastenings 59. In the vicinity of the top flanges 56 the walls of the shell are offset as indicated at 60 to compensate for the thickness of the vertical leg of the felt or flashing securing frame 35. The cant strips" of the curb are provided by V-shaped members 6 I. The latter have bottom walls 62 which cooperate with the flanges 55 to provide channels in which the portions of the deck surrounding the opening are located and upwardly and inwardly inclined walls 65, the walls 62 being connected to the flanges 55 at spaced intervals by cross-rods 53. The walls 62 and 65 are flanged along their marginal edges as indicated at 66, the said flanges being welded to the shell 54 at suitable intervals. In this connection it is understood, of course, that the flanges 55 may be omitted, as described heretofore, in the event that the characteristics of the deck are such that they are unnecessary or are not desired. As in the case of the various double-walled constructions described, provision may be made for the mounting of accessory apparatus, keyhole slots 61 being formed in the shell behind the V-shaped members 6| for accommodating the pins 68 by which the supporting brackets 69 are secured to the walls of the shell. In other respects the construction is substantially the same as the double-walled constructions described and the roofing felt or flashing is applied and secured in substantially the same manner.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the curbdescribed is rigid and compact in construction, has high heat insulating properties and is available for use in connection with various types of decks and in various environments. It is light in weight and reinforces the roof or deck as well as the base of the associated apparatus; it enables the use of apparatus having smaller bases as the thickness of the side walls may be greatly reduced owing to their greater strength and higher insulating properties, thereby reducing the cost of the labor and materials involved and rendering the base more pleasing in appearance; it provides for facility in mounting the associated apparatus and in securing the roofing felt or flashing; it insures a tight and weatherproof installation; and it avoids the various objections which are attendant with the use of concrete curbs.

I claim as my invention:

1. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which extend above said opening, laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening, angularly inclined walls which are joined to said last named walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing and a frame which fits around the tops of said side walls for securing said felt or' flashing to said curb and upon which said apparatus seats.

2. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which extend above said opening, laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening, said side walls having ofiset portions at their tops and a frame for pressing roofing felt or flashing against said ofiset portions to secure it to the curb.

3. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which extend above said opening, inwardly directed flanges carried by said walls and to which said apparatus may be secured, laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening and angularly inclined walls which are joined to said last named walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing.

4. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which extend above said opening and which are formed to provide a seat for said apparatus, inwardly directed flanges by which said apparatus is secured upon said seat and laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening.

5. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which enter and which extend above said opening, upper and lower outwardly directed walls which provide channels in which the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening are located, and angularly inclined walls which are joined to the upper of said outwardly directed walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing.

6. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which enter and which extend above said opening and which provide a seat for said apparatus, upper and lower outwardly directed walls which provide channels in which the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening are located, angularly inclined walls which are joined to the upper of said outwardly directed Walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing and a frame which fits around the tops of said side walls to secure said felt or flashing to the curb.

7. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising spaced inner and outer metal shells which cooperate to provide a heat insulating chamber which extends above and around said opening, means whereby said apparatus may be secured to the curb, the Walls of said outer shell having offset portions at their tops and a frame which fits around the top of said outer shell for pressing roofing felt or flashing against said oifset portions to secure it to the curb.

8. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising inner and outer metal shells which cooperate to provide a heat insulating chamber which extends above and around said opening, said inner shell extending into said opening and carrying laterally extending flanges, said outer shell having bottom walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening and which are spaced from said flanges to provide channels in which the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening are located, the sidewalls of said outer shell flaring outwardly at their bottoms to join said last named walls and provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing.

9. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over 'an opening in a roof or deck comprising a 'metal shell having side walls which extend above said opening, said walls being formed at their tops with flanges which provide a seat for said apparatus, outwardly extending walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening, angularly inclined Walls which are joined to said last named walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing and means for securing said felt or flashing to said shell.

10. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal shell having side walls which extend above said opening and horizontally arranged angular members secured to said side walls, said members providing .laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening and angularly inclined walls wihich abut said side walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing.

11. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal shell having side walls which extend above said opening and which are formed with inwardly directed flanges at their tops to provide a seat for said apparatus, said side walls having offset portions adjacent said seat, horizontally arranged angular members secured to said side walls, said members providing laterally extending walls which overlie. the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said opening and angularly inclined walls which abut said side walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing and a frame for pressing said felt or flashing against the offset portions of said side walls to thereby secure it to the curb.

12. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal shell having side walls which enter and which extend above said opening, said side walls carrying outwardly directed flanges at their bottoms and horizontally arranged angular members above said flanges, said members providing laterally extending walls which cooperate with said flanges to provide channels in which the portions of the roof or deck surrounding said openings are located and angularly inclined walls which abut said side walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing.

13. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which extend above said opening, laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the deck surrounding said opening, angularly inclined walls which are joined to said last named walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing and a frame which fits around the tops of said side walls and upon which said apparatus seats, said frame having portions which press said felt or flashing against said side walls to secure it to said curb.

14. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising a metal body having side walls which extend above said opening,laterally extending walls which overlie the portions of the deck surrounding said opening, angularly inclined walls which are joined to said last named walls and which provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing and a frame which fits over the tops of said side walls, said frame having vertical portions which press said felt or flashing against said side walls and horizontal portions which press it down upon the tops of said walls.

15. A structural curb for mounting apparatus over an opening in a roof or deck comprising inner and outer metal shells which cooperate to provide a heat insulating chamber which extends above and around said opening and laterally extending walls which are joined to said inner shell and which overlie the portions of the deck surrounding said opening, the walls of said outer shell flaring outwardly at their bottoms to join said last named walls and provide cant strips for roofing felt or flashing.

WILLIAM F. HIRSCHMAN. 

